Mature Code Nursing & Midwifery 2013 Written Assessment

CAO 2013 Applicants Only

Public Appointments Service

Familiarisation Booklet 2013

Selection Testing

This is an important document so please set some time aside to read it in advance of the test session

Contact Details:

Address:Public Appointments Service

General Service Recruitment Unit

Telephone:00353 (0) 1 858 7480 (business hours only)

Email:

1

Public Appointments ServiceNursing Careers Centre

Test Familiarisation BookletMature Code Nursing/Midwifery 2013

Dear Applicant,

With reference to your application for the Mature Code Nursing/Midwifery written assessment, we are supplying you with this year’s test familiarisation booklet.

The purpose of this test familiarisationbooklet is to introduce you to the tests that are being used in the written assessment for the Mature Code Nursing & Midwifery 2013.

This booklet contains information about the different tests being used, how the actual test booklets and answer sheets work, the time limits for each test and how the tests are scored. By familiarising yourself with the exercises in advance of the testing session, you can help optimise your performance on the day.

The aim of this familiarisationbooklet is to ensure that you are comfortable with the testing format and are aware of how to do your best in the test situation.

Please take the time to read this booklet carefully as it is your opportunity to prepare for the tests that you are about to sit and it should also help to reduce the additional time spent clarifying instructions before the tests. Please note that in order to ensure that you will not be detained for any longer than necessary on the day of the test, there will be a limited amount of time allocated for instructions and examples on the test day.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for applying for the competition and to encourage you once again to take time to read through the documentation carefully. We look forward to seeing you on the test day.

Thank you

Nursing Careers Centre

Table of Contents

Page

Background Information

  • The Tests Being used...... 4

The Testing Format

  • Test Booklet & Answer Sheet Formats...... 4
  • How to complete the Answer Sheets...... 5
  • Sample Answer Sheet...... 6
  • Test Scoring...... 7
  • Information about Practice Questions...... 8

Practice Questions, Answers and Suggested Explanations

  • Paper 1: Skills/Experiences Questionnaire...... 8
  • Paper 2: Verbal Comprehension Test...... 9
  • Answers to Practice Questions for the Verbal Comprehension Test...... 16
  • Suggested Explanations for the Verbal Comprehension Test...... 17
  • Paper 3: NumericalTest ...... 22
  • Answers to Practice Questions for the NumericalTest...... 30
  • Suggested Explanations for the NumericalTest...... 31
  • Paper 4: Job Simulation Test...... 38

Final Points

  • Suggested Test Taking Tactics...... 40
  • Equality Monitoring...... 41
  • Further Information About Selection Test...... 41
  • General Rules for the Written Assessment...... 42
  • Test Day Checklist & Directions to Venues...... 43

The Tests Being Used

On the day of the test you will be required to undertake four obligatory competitive pencil and paper tests which will be in multiple choice short-answer format. They have been designed so that they are fair to all candidates, and are objectively scored.

Paper 1: Skills/Experiences Questionnaire:

This questionnaire is about you and your experience, interests and achievements. The purpose of collecting this information is to compare your preferences with characteristics that we have identified as being necessary for this profession, in a way that is fair and consistent with everyone.

Paper 2: Verbal Test:

This test is designed to measure the ability to understand written passages and the logical evaluation of arguments.

Paper 3: Numerical Test:

This test is designed to measure the ability to work with numbers and solve numerical problems. You are allowed to use a calculator in this test. Rough work paper will be provided for this test.

Paper 4: Job Simulation Exercise

This exercise attempts to identify your likely response when presented with scenarios typical of what could occur in a job situation. It measures a range of skills and qualities required in the student nurse role, ranging from taking care of someone, through to taking responsibility in a situation. In this test you will be required to read through a number of scenarios and then choose which action you would take, based on the information presented in the scenario. You will be given a list of possible actions and will be required to select only ONE.

Test Booklet & Answer Sheet Formats

Each test is presented in a test booklet which contains brief test instructions and example questions. The test questions will follow on the other pages. In order to ensure that you will not be detained for any longer than necessary on the day of the test, there will be a limited amount of time allocated for instructions and examples. At each test venue there will be a Test Administrator who will call out the basic instructions before each actual test commences. This will give you a chance to adjust to the test situation.

You will be using three answer sheets during the test session. A space for your name and Candidate ID will be contained on each of the answer sheets. Answer sheet 1: Side A - Test 1 ‘Skills/Experiences Questionnaire’Answer sheet 2:Side A-Test 2 ‘Verbal Test’. Side B - Test 3 ‘Numerical Test’. Answer sheet 3: Test 4‘Job Simulation Exercise’.

The answer sheets are computer scored, this means they are put through a computer and are scanned– the marks you make on the answer sheet are picked up and your scores are automatically calculated. It is your responsibility to ensure that the marks you make are dark enough to be read by the scanner and that any marks you erase are fully deleted.

Please remember to bring:

  1. two soft pencils for marking your answer sheets as only pencil marks can be read by the computer scanner.
  1. a pencil sharpener & a white eraser to correct any mistakes.
  1. a silent, cordless, non-programmable calculator. It is important to note that candidates are not permitted to use a mobile phone as a calculator
  1. your invitation to the testing session (this will have your Candidate ID on it and you will be required to write this number on your answer sheet).

How to Complete the Answer Sheets:

When you receive your answer sheets you should enter your Candidate ID, and sign your name, in the relevant spaces. As in the example overleaf, when you are entering your Candidate ID you should enter the digits in the boxes and then mark the corresponding box in the column below. You will be given specific instructions about how and when to do this at the test session.

All of the questions are presented in multiple choice format, which means that you will have to choose from a set of answers labelled [ A ] [ B ] [ C ] and so on, depending on the number of answer options given for the questions in each test. You must mark the boxes with heavy marks that fill the box completely, in order that the computer scanner can read it. This is very important as check marks [/] or crosses [X] cannot be interpreted by the computer scanner.

Here are some helpful tips for completing the answer sheets:

  • Listen carefully to the instructions for each test and ensure that you are completing the correct section on the answer sheet for the test that you are doing;
  • Within each test, each question has a corresponding answer line. As you go through the tests check that you are filling in the answer that corresponds with the question;
  • While these points may seem obvious, it is possible to lose your place on an answer sheet and fill in the wrong box in a test situation. Unfortunately, errors such as these cannot be rectified once the test has been finished and they will not be picked up by the computerised scoring process;
  • Paper 1, The Skills/Experiences Questionnaire is about “your preferences”. Marks are available for most answer options. The marks awarded are driven by preferences, with the least marks being awarded to the least preferred responses and the most marks being awarded to the most preferred responses;

Sample Answer Sheet

Rough work paper

Rough work paper will be permitted for the Numerical Reasoning Test only. This will be provided on the day but will be collected after the Numerical Reasoning Test. It will not be assessed in any way.

Test Scoring

This information should help answer some of the more frequently asked questions about how the tests are scored and how test results are calculated.

  1. The answers to these tests are objectively scored using a standardised answer and score key.
  1. The answer sheets are computer scored. This means that you must be very careful to follow the instructions about how to correctly fill in the answer sheets. If you make a mistake on the answer sheet, such as not clearly marking an answer choice, or marking an answer choice on the wrong answer line, then you will not gain any marks for that question.
  1. There will be no penalties for incorrect answers on any of the tests this year.
  1. It is important to note that the score range for this year’s assessment tests will be different from previous years with the maximum marks available on each test being a score of 800. This means that the maximum possible score this year is 3200.
  1. To be considered for a student place by the CAO, you must reach the qualifying standard on each of the four tests.

Information about Practice Questions

Practice questions for each of the tests are presented over the next few pages. These practice questions are similar in format to what you could expect to find in each of the tests. You should try the practice questions for each of these tests using the mini answer sections presented directly after the questions.

When you are finished, refer to the relevant page numbers indicated in the table on the next page to see how many you got right. If you had any difficulty and you want to see how you could improve your performance, then refer to the pages for suggested explanations to these practice questions. There is no mini-answer or suggested explanations sections for the Skills/Experiences Questionnaire as this paper is about your own personal experiences, interests and achievements.

Remember, these practice questions are only intended to help you familiarise yourself with the format of the test questions. Please do not be alarmed on the test day if you find that the questions are more difficult.

Paper 1 Skills/Experiences Questionnaire

This Questionnaire is about you and your experiences, interests and achievements. The purpose of collecting this information is to compare your preferences with characteristics that we have identified as being necessary for this profession.

Not all the questions score. There is no obvious way of determining which responses will attract the most points. The marks awarded are driven by preferences, with the least marks being awarded to the least preferred responses, and the most marks being awarded to the most preferred responses. Please be as honest as possible when answering the questions.

Instructions:

For many of the questions in the booklet, only one answer is required. Where the questions ask for one answer, please mark one box only on the answer sheet. For some questions you are allowed to mark more than one box. If so, this will be indicated in the answer booklet. Please make sure that you understand the instructions for each question before making any marks on the answer sheet.

At the test you will have 35 minutes to complete the 68 questions of the questionnaire.

The following is an example of the type of question you will find in the questionnaire.

Which one of the following do you enjoy the most?
  1. AGoing to the cinema.
  2. BListening to music.
  3. CReading novels.
  4. DSocialising with friends.
  5. ENone of the above.

In this example, and for many of the questions in the questionnaire, only one answer is required.

Paper 2: Verbal Test:

Instructions

In this test, you are presented with a range of passages, each of which is followed by several statements. You are required to evaluate each statement in the light of the passage preceding it. On the day of the test you will have 18 minutes to complete the 40 questions in this test. Please read through the following passages and evaluate the statements according to the rules below.

Mark Box A if the statement is True given the information in the passage.

Mark Box B if the statement is False given the information in the passage.

Mark Box C if you Cannot Say whether the statement is true or false without further information.

Mark your answers by completely filling in the appropriate box on the mini answer sections provided on each page. You should allow yourself about 10 minutes to complete the 20 practice questions on the following pages. When you are finished, turn to page 16 to see how many you got right.

If you are ready to proceed - take a look at the time and write it down here:
Good Luck ……. and begin NOW…..

All trains to Cork are departing from platform 7 with the exception of the 13.15 train, which is departing from platform 10. Passengers are informed that it is their responsibility to ensure that they have a valid ticket for their journey, as it is essential for admission to all trains. Also, passengers wishing to travel on the 16.45 train to Letterkenny, please note there will be a 10-minute delay due to track maintenance.

Q1.The 16.45 train to Letterkenny is to run on time.

Q2.It is the passenger’s responsibility to ensure that they have a valid ticket for their journey.

Q3.The 6.45 train to Letterkenny is departing from platform 10.

Q4.The 13.15 train to Cork will depart from platform 10.

Verbal Comprehension
Mini Answer Section
Q1 / [A] / [B] / [C]
Q2 / [A] / [B] / [C]
Q3 / [A] / [B] / [C]
Q4 / [A] / [B] / [C]

The Senior Librarian works from 10am to 6.30pm Monday to Friday. The library closes for one hour for lunch. Only the children’s section opens on Saturday from 11am to 4pm. Any books borrowed must be returned within 2 weeks. Overdue books are subject to a charge of £2.50 for the first week and 50p for each additional day thereafter. Damaged books must be paid for in full.

Q5.The library closes from 1pm to 2pm for lunch.

Q6.There is no charge for overdue library books.

Q7The children’s section of the library opens on Saturday.

Q8.The full amount must be paid if books are damaged.

Verbal Comprehension
Mini Answer Section
Q5 / [A] / [B] / [C]
Q6 / [A] / [B] / [C]
Q7 / [A] / [B] / [C]
Q8 / [A] / [B] / [C]

Details of the training course fees are set out in the company’s current brochure. All invoices shall be paid within 30 days of the date of the invoice. The full course fee is payable upon failure to attend, cancellation, or requests for transfer to another course. Requests for transfer should be received in writing by the company within twenty one days of the course start date. Exemptions from certain parts of the course will be permitted providing the Governing Body authorises this. The company has the right to alter the course details at any time. The company gives no guarantee that every delegate will, on completion of a training course or the sitting of a test, obtain an award or relevant certificate, registration or diploma.

Q9.Details of the training course fees are set out in the company’s current brochure.

Q10.You do not need to pay the fee if you make a cancellation.

Q11.You are guaranteed an award on completion of a training course.

Q12.It is possible to defer your place on any course providing you give two weeks notice.

Verbal Comprehension
Mini Answer Section
Q9 / [A] / [B] / [C]
Q10 / [A] / [B] / [C]
Q11 / [A] / [B] / [C]
Q12 / [A] / [B] / [C]

Leased materials remain the property of the company and are supplied to the registered users for an initial period of one year. Leases are renewed on an annual basis for a fee which is payable unless written notice of termination is received during the previous lease period. Refunds will not be made on lease materials returned part way through a lease period. Lost or damaged lease materials will only be replaced at an additional charge. The registered user to whom the lease materials are supplied will be held responsible for the fees on those materials until such a time as he/she returns them, or until written confirmation is received that another registered user has taken over that responsibility.

Q13.Leased materials are supplied to the registered user for an initial period of six months.

Q14.Leased materials will be posted to registered users on receipt of payment.

Q15.There is a charge for the replacement of lost or damaged leased materials.

Q.16Leases will be automatically terminated unless written confirmation of renewal is received by the company during the lease period.

Verbal Comprehension
Mini Answer Section
Q13 / [A] / [B] / [C]
Q14 / [A] / [B] / [C]
Q15 / [A] / [B] / [C]
Q16 / [A] / [B] / [C]

The Registry Unit is responsible for the storage and distribution of stationery to staff. Materials shall only be distributed to staff who have written authorisation from their manager. Stationery may not be passed on to, or re-sold to any third party. Stationery is supplied on the condition that it will be used within the guidelines as set out in the “Personnel Handbook”. The Registry Unit reserves the right to withhold stationery from those who violate these guidelines.

Q17.According to the guidelines set out in the “Personnel Handbook”, stationery distributed by the Registry Unit is only to be used for official business.